Thursday, August 3, 2017

At Trump rally, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announces switch from Democrat to Republican party, first Gov. to switch from Dem. to Republican in 25 years. 'West Virginia, I can't help you anymore by being a Democratic governor.' Democrats now hold record low number of governorships

It's not
immediately clear why Justice is doing an about-face. But the fact he is
underscores just how fragile Democrats' hold on power is. With one
politician's decision to switch parties, Democrats now hold a record-low
number of governorships — and Republicans hold a record high.

Justice will be the 34th Republican governor, tying an all-time high for
the party. Republicans now control both the governor's mansions and
state legislatures in 26 states. Democrats have total control in just
six states. (In 2018, they'll have a chance to pick up governorships,
with Republicans defending 27 of 38 seats, many in blue or purple
states.)

This appears
to be more of a personal decision. Justice didn't give his now-former
party or his new party a heads up. He didn't call the Democratic
Governors Association, which spent $1.5 million to help Justice win
election, and sources say even some of his staff was caught off guard.

The DGA accused the billionaire, who owes millions in taxes and fines, of switching parties to enrich himself....

If one Democrat were to switch parties right now, Justice is probably the Democrat you'd guess. He is a former Republican. He was the first,
and one of the only, big-name Democrats to say he wouldn't be voting
for Hillary Clinton. It ended up being a smart call. Trump won Justice's
state by more than 40 points, and Justice outperformed Clinton by more
than that to win his election. Justice has been close to Trump's
children, especially Eric Trump, for some time. Just last week, Justice
rode in a limo with Trump as the president was in the state to talk to
Boy Scouts.

In other words, Justice's departure doesn't mean Democrats are
fleeing their party because they finally saw the light and decided to
become Republican....It's
not immediately clear Republicans in West Virginia want him. They
derided the eccentric billionaire during the campaign for not being good
with finances.

“The people of West Virginia deserve better,” state Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R) said
of the governor recently during a budget debate. “I don’t believe
anybody who owes this state $4.5 million in unpaid taxes is in a
position to tell a legislative body that has responsibly managed its own
budget for decades. . .how to spend a single penny.”

In terms
of West Virginia policy, Justice's decision won't change much
immediately. Republicans control the state legislature, and they could
have just vetoed Justice anyway. (West Virginia is one of several states
that requires a simple majority to override a governor's veto.)...